How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in Washington (2026)

Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licenses about 6,800 early learning programs and school-age sites in the state of Washington.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dcyf.wa.gov/services/early-learning-providers/licensed-provider

Become a Licensed Child Care & Early Learning Provider

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dcyf.wa.gov/services/early-learning-providers/licensed-provider

Become a Licensed Child Care & Early Learning Provider

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

License applicants and covered early learning staff must complete department-approved Child Care Basics before licensure or working unsupervised with children.

License applicants and covered early learning staff must complete department-approved Child Care Basics before licensure or working unsupervised with children.

License applicants, center directors, assistant directors, program supervisors, lead teachers, assistant teachers, and aides must complete the child care basics training as approved or offered by the department: Prior to being granted a license; or Prior to working unsupervised with children.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family home licensees and center directors must be at least 18.

Family home licensees and center directors must be at least 18.

A family home licensee must meet the following qualifications upon application: Be at least 18 years old; A center director must meet the following qualifications: Be at least 18 years old;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A center director needs two years teaching children in an enrolled age group, plus six months in administration/management or a department-approved plan.

A center director needs two years teaching children in an enrolled age group, plus six months in administration/management or a department-approved plan.

Have two years of experience as a teacher of children in any age group enrolled in the early learning program and at least six months of experience in administration or management or a department approved plan;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

All of these must be done 30 days before your license anniversary date.

All of these must be done 30 days before your license anniversary date. Applies to: Annual licensing fee, Annual Declaration of Compliance, and required background checks

All of these must be done 30 days before your license anniversary date.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

10 hours

10

An early learning provider must complete ten hours of annual in-service training after twelve months of cumulative employment.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

After EQEL or an approved alternative, family licensees and specified center leadership need at least 10 hours in child development and 10 hours in leadership practices every 36 months.

After EQEL or an approved alternative, family licensees and specified center leadership need at least 10 hours in child development and 10 hours in leadership practices every 36 months.

Every thirty-six months, following the completion of EQEL or a department approved alternative training, a family home licensee, center director, assistant director or program supervisor, must complete a minimum of ten hours of in-service training "child development" and a minimum of ten hours of in-service training on "leadership practices."

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Child care and early learning for groups from birth through age 12 requires a license unless exempt. Family-home licensing includes regular care outside the child's home for one or more children unrelated to the licensee.

Child care and early learning for groups from birth through age 12 requires a license unless exempt. Family-home licensing includes regular care outside the child's home for one or more children unrelated to the licensee.

An individual or entity that provides child care and early learning services for a group of children, birth through 12 years of age, must be licensed by the department Outside the child's home on a regular and ongoing basis for one or more children not related to the licensee;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Annual fees: $30 for a family home; centers pay $125 for the first 12 capacity places plus $12 for each additional place.

Annual fees: $30 for a family home; centers pay $125 for the first 12 capacity places plus $12 for each additional place.

Family Home Child Care: $30 per year Child Care Centers and School-Age Programs: $125 per year for the first 12 children $12 per year for each additional child, up to your licensed capacity

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The ten-hour annual training requirement starts after 12 months of cumulative employment.

The ten-hour annual training requirement starts after 12 months of cumulative employment.

An early learning provider must complete ten hours of annual in-service training after twelve months of cumulative employment.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family home applicants need a high school diploma/equivalent. An ECE initial certificate or equivalent is due by August 1, 2030, or within five years of licensure, whichever is later; the ECE short certificate follows within two years of receiving the initial certificate.

Family home applicants need a high school diploma/equivalent. An ECE initial certificate or equivalent is due by August 1, 2030, or within five years of licensure, whichever is later; the ECE short certificate follows within two years of receiving the initial certificate.

Have a high school diploma or equivalent; Have an ECE initial certificate or equivalent by August 1, 2030, or within five years of being licensed by the department, whichever occurs later; Have an ECE short certificate or equivalent within two years of receiving an ECE initial certificate;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026